Fury at beauty-spot power

A GOVERNMENT consultation paper about to be released has suggested Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty such as the Gower and National Parks like the Brecon Beacons could be suitable for controversial renewable energy projects.

A GOVERNMENT consultation paper about to be released has suggested Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty such as the Gower and National Parks like the Brecon Beacons could be suitable for controversial renewable energy projects.

And the paper makes it clear that in some circumstances the Government should step in if renewable energy developers are being opposed by local planning authorities.

The paper says local councils should actively encourage alternative energy projects such as wind farms instead of opposing them on environmental or other grounds.

People have until January 30 to make their views clear about the proposed changes to national planning policy relating to renewable energy schemes.

The rise of huge metal turbines across the hills and coasts of Britain has caused massive controversy. Local authorities have been opposing windfarms on the grounds of their visual impact on tourism.

Environmental groups such as Greenpeace support the increase in wind turbine projects because they believe the renewable energy schemes are the only alternative to global warming and pollution.

But opponents of the schemes are concerned that commercial developers are only interested in subsidies and profits and that their adverse visual impact far outweighs wider environmental benefits.

Anti-wind farm campaigner Ioan Richard, of Craigcefnparc in the Swansea Valley, a member of Swansea City and County Council said, "This not only rides a coach and horses through current planning policy, it drives a hundred bulldozers through it.

"Now this Government paper appears to open the door to developers who want to make money out of placing giant metal turbines in our most treasured places.

"To think that somewhere like the Gower Peninsula could be peppered with alien metal structures so a giant corporation somewhere can make profits out of it is sickening. We all accept the need for new and cleaner technology in producing power but this is not the answer. The price is too high."

Swansea council recently joined forces with neighbouring authorities in Bridgend and Porthcawl and the Gower Society to fight plans for more than 30 giant turbines in Swansea Bay. Each would be higher than the London Eye.

The National Assembly has yet to make a decision on the scheme which was the subject of a public inquiry.

United Utilities, the company behind the Greenpeace- backed scheme, which made more than &#xA3;500m in profits last year, says the turbines could become a tourist attraction.

The councils and the Gower Society however, supported by a large petition from residents, believe the turbines could decimate local tourism.

Part of the government paper says, "Small scale renewable energy developments should be permitted in National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Heritage Coasts provided there is no detriment to the areas.

"Visual effects of such schemes will be considered on a case by case basis."

Mr Richard said, "At one time government advice to local authorities about commercial energy production plants in such places was 'no, no, no'. Now it seems that local councils are being asked to consider such schemes and there is the threat of Government intervention if they are seen to be acting awkwardly."